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Showing posts with label before and after re-designs. Show all posts
Showing posts with label before and after re-designs. Show all posts

Monday, May 14, 2012

Yellow Bench: "Before & After"

Hope all you mother's out there had a wonderful Mother's Day, I know I did! I am very blessed to have two wonderful children. I got to spend the day with my family and some time outside doing some gardening. It was a spectacularly beautiful day!
The new consignment store I am apart of had a fantastic opening weekend- a huge success. Time to get cranking on some more projects as this weekend it is Arts in Ada!
Onto the subject at hand...I get sidetracked easily these days!
I thought I would show you a "before & after" project I recently finished. First the "after" on this one. I know some people skip right to the "after" and then go back to the "before" anyway (I'm guilty of this one myself).    "The After"...
Glazed Yellow Bench

The other reason for doing it this way is you will appreciate the facelift this piece was given by seeing how adorable it is now and how it was an ugly duckling before. 
"The Before"


 a seriously ugly and smelly tapestry fabric!


I could see the potential. The bench was very sturdy and had nice lines and a sweet detail on the legs. But really the fabric was beyond hideous, especially mixed with a copper-colored metallic paint!!! Oh dear what were they thinking?? Anyways after sanding and painting a great dirty yellow color I decided to take it to the next step...add some dark glazing to enhance the detail and give it a european flair. A finish coat finished it off and I just love how it turned out!
                                                                    Here it is again!

Stop back soon to see another finished piece of furniture and lamp too! I just love warm weather it is the best for painting. 
Thanks for stopping by and leave me a comment...it makes my day!


Tuesday, April 3, 2012

10 RePurposing Design Ideas

10 Repurposing Ideas: to refresh your rooms interior without spending a lot of money...take what you already have and make it into something new to you!

1. LAMPS- change the lampshade,  add some trim to the shade, or spray paint the base for an updated look. (photo from cornerhouse.blogspot.com)
Sometimes just adding a lamp to a room can do wonders!

2. HEADBOARD- use existing headboard or build a upholstered one by adding padding and fabric to revamp your room. Painted wood doors or shutters can be another design option. Be creative!

Nailheads add another dimension and custom detail



Great way to add a punch of color!
 

                 3. RE-UPHOLSTER a chair or bench in a bedroom and paint room to coordinate with it.



Simple makeover! ( photo from ohdeedoh.com)



4. PAINT BEDROOM DRESSER- change the color and add new hardware, you can even spray paint the old ones as well. This works great if you add a non-matching piece to a room...make it an accent!

hardware makes all the difference! (photo from adesignstory.com)

5. REMOVE OLD OUTDATED ARTWORK- instead create a gallery wall with framed photo's of family & friends, or special trips. Also, try taking down art and moving it to a different space.


Great versitility when looking for a change.
With a gallery wall you can use a variety of styles and sizes to fit the location. Just make sure something ties them all together like color, style, material, matte color etc.

6. UPDATE ACCESSORIES- try changing the color by painting over them, add gold or silver accents to change them up, or paint with 2 different finishes & distress them with sandpaper to give them more character. Distressing gives the room a more relaxed style.



Metal finishes add sparkle and reflect light! Silver accents pull the room together nicely!


7. PILLOWS & MORE PILLOWS- if you have an old sofa (most of us do!) add or change the accent pillows, if yours are too plain add some trim, or if a change is due, re-cover with close-out fabric from your local fabric store.

add some color & geometric designs for fun!


A simple pop of color or texture can be all you need to freshen up your living room!

8. ADD SOME GREENERY- take a vase/pot and add a plant for a empty corner, or put a console table in front of a window with a green plant on top. Plants clean up the air in a room as well as adding some life.

green plants help to bring the outdoors in! (photo form apartmenttheraphy.com)

9. RE-COVER YOUR DINING ROOM CHAIRS- by re-covering your chair seats you only need about 1/2 yard per chair (consider the pattern repeat), possibly some padding if the cushions are worn & a nail gun. Patience helps too! If your room is in need of a bigger change consider either painting the table a different color or the chairs. With a contrast between the two you will have a more dynamic space.

 Great color huh! Chair fabric pulls together the table and chairs nicely. (photo courtesy of: thesassypepper.blogspot.com)

and finally...

10. RE-DO BOOKSHELVES- storage bins and large baskets are great for storing bookshelf clutter. You know the stacks of books, cd's, dvd's, photo books, games, small collections of craft stuff, magazines, well the list could go on. By clearing the clutter it makes the room feel more restful...and you will feel more relaxed!

It's amazing what you can do with the things you already own, it just takes some imagination and a bit of creativity...but the results are worth it!

...until next time!
Please post a comment I would love to hear what you think!

Tuesday, December 20, 2011

Salvaged Chair

On a fall Saturday that happened to be a cold and gloomy, my  husband and I decided to venture to our local salvage yard. The place is chocked full of any and EVERYTHING! Most of it is pure junk and I have to confess I have to resist the temptation to want to organize it. Everything inside of me wants to sort, straighten, and for goodness sake add some better lighting! (a little OCD or obsessive compulsive designer!) But never-the-less it is still fun to pick through the shelves to find something to re-purpose. Then I came upon this little gem just sitting in the back waiting to be discovered, and it was in need of an overhaul. Here is the "before"
...and after removing 2 fabrics, and old cotton cushion, webbing, and dozens of nails, and gave it a good sanding...


 I decided to paint the chair a rich matte Caviar Black (SW6990) to show off the details and curved legs, and a fun Kravet fabric with a swirl pattern to play up the detail on the back. I just love how it turned out, let me know what you think.
Here is the "After"
Stop back and see some more re-designs...until then Merry Christmas!